Old library back on real estate market
Buyer withdraws bid on Emporium landmark

Members of Emporium Borough Council emerged from a private executive session Monday night to announce that a landmark building at the borough's busiest intersection is going back on the auction block.

Council members said former Cameron County resident Mike Hepfner, currently of Aberdeen, N.C., has withdrawn his $40,000 bid for the former Tino's Italian Restaurant building at Fourth and Broad streets.

Borough Manager Don Reed pointed out that the building would be appropriate for any number of uses. About the only exceptions, according to local ordinances, would be manufacturing businesses, production work, adult stores and anything involving live animals, with the exception of housepets.

"I think it's going to sell," Reed added.

In other business, Reed announced that the recent cleanup day yielded almost nine tons of garbage that was taken to Veolia landfill in Elk County. Total cost to the borough was $360.

Council President Jim Slusarick suggested that future clean-ups incorporate scrap metal recycling so the borough can potentially make money instead of spending it.

Emporium Borough Police Chief Rufus Jones announced that Officer Jason Charles has joined the force as full-time replacement for Jason Miller, who left at the end of September.

Council learned that PennDOT will pay the borough another $13,000 in liquid fuels tax reimbursement for maintenance of non-state roads next year. The 2007 allotment was about $40,000.

Members passed an ordinance prohibiting parking along both sides of Wood Street, from Fifth Street to Sixth Street. They tabled a proposal to designate a parking space on Fourth Street, near Uni-Mart.

A mandatory flood protection emergency action plan is being prepared by Councilman Rick Bauer, flood protection officer. The borough is seeking an extension from the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection to complete the plan.

Councilman Max Narby reported that Emporium Volunteer Fire Department and several municipalities met to discuss a fire prevention evaluation conducted by the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development. Plans for truck replacement and hose testing were considered.

Councilman Pat Garrigan suggested that the borough evaluate its streetlighting to determine if cost could be reduced by better placement.

Mayor Carnovale recommended that the borough formally recognize Dave and Marlene Smith, owners of Pizza Palace Plus, for bringing attention to Emporium through their success in pizza-making competitions.